Top 10 Breakfast Spots in Virginia Beach
Welcome to Part 3 of our ongoing series celebrating everyone’s favorite meal—breakfast! And what better place to take you on a sunrise (or early afternoon-ish, we’re not judging!) culinary journey than in Virginia Beach, VA? With daring breakfast seafood entrees, pancakes as big as your head, all-you-can-eat steak(!) buffets, and so much more, Virginia Beach is your hook-up to one great tasting brunch.
We’re here to take you through the very best that Virginia Beach has to offer. And make sure to check out Part 1: our guide to dining in Hampton Roads, as well as Part 2: our guide to dining in Williamsburg.
The Butcher’s Son
While any time’s the perfect time to grab a delicious Prime Rib or Ribeye at The Butcher’s Son, you’ll be happy you came out a little early. On Sundays from 9AM-2PM at both their Virginia Beach and Chesapeake locations, The Butcher’s Son serves up one of the finest all-you-can-eat buffets around.
They’ve got a huge selection of breakfast entrees, including a made-to-order omelette station, a carving station serving up freshly-cut, juicy steak, and a variety of rotating breakfast staples, including egg dishes, apple-wood smoked bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, soups, biscuits and gravy, and much more. The Butcher’s Son even has a special brunch cocktail menu, so you can either get an early start on the day’s festivities—hey, you’re either on vacation, or you should be!—or you can keep the party going from the night before. And at only $20 for adults, and $7 for kids, it won’t break the bank either.
The biggest downside is they only serve brunch once a week, so you’ll just have to settle for mouthwatering lunch and dinner entrees the other 6 days. We dare you—watch this video and tell us you don’t salivate.
Commune
Commune, with locations in Norfolk and the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, is quickly catching on as a real locals’ choice restaurant. Whether it’s Commune’s commitment to serving high-quality and ethically-sourced ingredients, their chic-modern ambiance, or just Commune’s delicious flavors delivered daily, one thing’s for sure—the praise is definitely deserved. Vegetarians, vegans, meat-eaters, and everyone in between will fine plenty to rave here at this bustling, farm-to-table eatery.
Commune serves up a variety of lovingly-crafted coffee drinks, HUGE breakfast sandwiches, organic buckwheat crepes, and specialty entrees, including German Spaetzle, grit bowls, and homemade Sorghum pancakes. One thing’s for sure—you won’t leave hungry!
This video features some other fantastic Virginia Beach restaurants, including Commune. Check out that amazing breakfast spread at 0:11!
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Rudee’s on the Inlet
Rudee’s has been serving up Virginia Beach locals and visitors since 1983. That’s probably why their menu feels so rock solid after all these years. Rudee’s serves up a classic breakfast, with a nod to their waterfront locale via their seafood offerings. Rudee’s Crabcake Benedict and Seafood Omelet are Virginia Beach staples, perfect for anyone wanting to get a real taste of what Virginia Beach has in store.
The real treat though is Rudee’s outdoor dining area overlooking the water. Featuring covered, gliding tables, this is the perfect spot to grab a quality meal with some killer views. Better hurry though—these popular tables fill up fast!
Unfortunately, Rudee’s only serves brunch on Sundays from 10AM to 2PM, but if you show up outside that window, you’ll still be treated to some quality fare—it’s never too early for Alaskan Snow Crab Legs in our book!
Waterman’s / Chix on the Beach
Founded in 1981 as “Fogg’s Seafood Company.” Waterman’s has been serving up happy customers for almost four decades. Their iconic Orange Crush has been elevated to near cult-like status, responsible for creating lasting—albeit foggy—memories for young lovers and old friends alike.
Besides a huge selection of excellent seafood options for lunch and dinner, Waterman’s also makes a mean breakfast every Sunday, from 9AM to 2PM. For our money, you can’t go wrong with their Shrimp n’ Grits—there’s nothing like eating fresh seafood a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean. They also serve up scrumptious Chicken Biscuit Sliders and huge omelets. Add in a homemade Sticky Bun and you’ll be good for the rest of the day, or at least ’til you come back for dinner!
And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention owners Mike and Mariah Standing’s other restaurant, Chix on the Beach. Besides killer seafood, burgers, and more, they’ve also got a pretty delicious breakfast menu. Best of all, they serve breakfast Saturdays and Sundays all year ‘round!
Check out Virginia Beach’s most iconic cocktail, Waterman’s Orange Crush, soon to be your main squeeze at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
Baker’s Crust
Baker’s Crust is exploding in both flavor and popularity, with locations in Virginia Beach as well as Norfolk, Chesapeake, Williamsburg, and Richmond, VA. Located in the Hilltop section of Virginia Beach, Baker’s Crust pushes the boundaries of culinary excellence, delivering a killer breakfast and brunch daily.
Our recommendation? The Chicken & Waffle. This classic southern dish is just the perfect blend of sweet and savory for our palates. If eggs are more your speed though, you might want to try try out their Southern Benedict or West Coast Omelette. Honestly, it’s pretty difficult to go wrong with anything on the menu. Baker’s Crust serves up something wonderful, satisfying eaters both timid and adventurous. Bon Appétit!
Baker’s Crust is for a bite any time, day or night. Check out this this video at Bakers Crust Virginia Beach, where Phillipe walks Patrick through the tips and tricks to making great pizza dough. And come on, who says pizza can’t be for breakfast?
Doc Taylor’s
Doc Taylor’s at the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach is a seaside classic. One of the biggest perks? The atmosphere. Where else can you eat in a colonial-style building just minutes from the beach?
Certainly no slouch in the breakfast department, Doc Taylor’s is a fantastic stop on your Virginia Beach vacation. We’d recommend Grandma Ellen’s Creamed Chipped Beef. A staple for the US Armed Forces for many years, it’s no surprise to find this one on the menu in an area with so many service members. And for meat lovers out there, try The Heart Attack—three eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and toast, with a chop or flat iron steak.
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Pocahontas Pancakes
Pocahontas Pancake House has been serving up short stacks to hungry Oceanfront visitors since 1974. In the summer, we’ve seen lines out the door, and for good reason—this is some seriously exceptional diner food!
The menu is extensive, with pages filled with pancakes, Belgian waffles, French toast, eggs any style, breakfast sandwiches, wraps, and even some lunch options. There’s so much to parse through, we’d forgive you if you couldn’t make up your mind. Take it from us—you can’t go wrong with the Pecan Pancakes. Pecans are a classic Virginia staple, and the blend of sweet and savory in this dish makes this the perfect breakfast food. We’ve also got a soft-spot for breakfast sandwiches, and for our money, Pocahontas Pancakes features one of the best on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
Pocahontas Pancake House is open 7 days a week in the summer, from 7AM–1PM. Just don’t blame us if you’re too full to go swimming afterwards!
Tupelo Honey
Tupelo Honey has been gaining traction over the past few years, and Virginia Beach is lucky to have one here in our own backyard. With 14 locations and growing, their secret to success is simple—responsibly-sourced, high-quality food at reasonable prices. Tupelo Honey has an extensive brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as a special “Weekday Brunch” menu for the rest of the week.
One breakfast must-try you can get seven days a week—Southern Shaksuka. This is a unique dish with Middle Eastern and North African roots. Tupelo Honey creates something authentically regional with their dish, featuring goat cheese grits and a creole sauce that is to die for. Another great option available all week long is their Shoo Mercy Sweet Potato Pancakes. Topped with buttermilk fried chicken and spiced pecans, with bacon, eggs, seasonal fruit, and pickled blueberries, this is the perfect fuel to keep you going all day long.
Watch this video on Tupelo Honey’s famous Sweet Potato pancakes, and see what all the fuss is about!
The Egg Bistro
At The Egg Bistro, with locations in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Suffolk, breakfast is served all day long! Founders Doug Stumpf and Mike Touhey have made it their mission to increase the quality and perception of breakfast food, and they are delivering on that promise in spades. With its exceptional service and friendly staff, The Egg Bistro will ensure you leave with a full belly and a smile on your face.
The Firecracker Omelet is one of our favorites and a house specialty, with grilled chicken, smoked Surry sausage, roasted red peppers, jalapeños, and pico with pepper jack cheese. The Egg Bistro also proves that gluten-free doesn’t have to be flavor-free, with their 2E’s Two Step—two portions of peppered bacon-wrapped asparagus, served with hollandaise, eggs, hash browns or grits, and toast or a biscuit.
Hair of the Dog Eatery
Hair of the Dog Eatery is one of the area’s best-kept local secrets and it’s not hard to see why—they’ve got a host of breakfast dishes with local twits, like their Southern Grit bowl, as well as nods to like area in their dish names, like “The Cavalier,” “The Littleneck,” “The Pembroke” or the “Pungo Bene.” One thing is clear—this is a restaurant created by locals, for locals. But visitors are welcome to crash the party, too!
We would recommend you try their Chesapeake Benedict, featuring two poached eggs, bacon, jumbo lump crab meat, old bay, and hollandaise over an English muffin. Crab meat is great at any time of the day, and has that quintessentially Coastal Virginia flare. We also like their Breakfast “Cali” Burrito—with eggs, peppers, onions, pico de gallo, home fries, bacon, sausage, and cheese, Hair of the Dog proves that just about everything tastes better wrapped up in a tortilla.
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Coastal Virginia has some of the best breakfast food around, and Virginia Beach throws down a serious challenge to the other neighboring cities. If you’re having trouble choosing a restaurant, we wouldn’t blame you! Make sure to check out our favorite breakfast picks for Williamsburg as well as Hampton Roads.
Didn’t see your favorite restaurant make the list? Shoot us a message in the comments and let us know where we should check out next!
Martin Walsh is an owner of The Vacation Channel, and filmmaker with over a decade of experience making engaging travel content. He’s on a mission to make sure your family has fun this year with a trip to Coastal Virginia. If you would like a local’s opinion, you can always send him a question via email. Now get outside and go have an adventure!